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Many Durbanites braved long lines at their neighborhood shopping malls on Friday to stock up on essentials on the first day of the Level 4 blockade regulations.
At Gateway Mall, crowds gathered in large numbers to take advantage of the reopening of retail stores.
Outside of popular retailers, including Edgars, MRP, Woolworths, and Ackermans, people lined up to stock up on winter clothes and other items.
Dan Kistasamy, who visited MRP with his wife and daughter, told News24 that he was concerned about the crowds but had to embark on winter shopping.
“What can we do, you know? My son and my wife need clothes, so I have to keep them. We are trying to be careful, but you cannot predict how other people will behave. We arrive early, so you can do it and go home.” .
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Closer to Durban, the popular Bridge City Mall was also busier than usual when retailers opened.
Outside the Pep store, a line was formed with so many winter-ready families.
Sindi Nkosi, a mother, said she was upset by the queues.
“Honestly, this mall is always busy. I don’t like queues and so many people, but we need things. Hopefully we’ll be back to normal soon.”
Golden Mile Walk
One of Durban’s most popular tourist destinations, the Golden Mile promenade, was also open on Friday when the closure of Level 4 began.
Durbanites headed to the popular beach area for exercise, which is allowed during Level 4 of the Covid-19 national blockade.
When News24 reached the beach, there was a small contingent of officers who were watching the public, constantly searching for masks and urging people to keep a physical distance.
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About a hour and a half after the exercise from 06:00 to 09:00, a taxi full of subway police officers arrived and began to strictly enforce the closing rules. Officers prevented people from walking together, even if they reached the beach from the same house.
A man was asked to leave the beach after being seen without a mask.
“You must go home now, this is not allowed,” the officer told the man who immediately complied.
An overview of people exercising at Gordon’s Bay and Strand on Day 1 of Block 4 level. (Photo by Gallo Images / Roger Sedres)
‘I try to keep a distance’
Speaking to News24, Emeka Obi, a North Beach resident, said being able to go out and exercise was “great.”
“We’ve been longing for this. A taste of freedom at last. Thank God we can do this. We are free. Five kilometers is fine, at least we can keep our heart rate pumping and running. I try to keep people away – about two meters. “
Runner Ishara Umraw was also excited. “It is absolutely incredible. It is like freedom once again. Yes, I have missed this. It is a daily walk, and I will return tomorrow morning. I do not feel at risk because people run at a distance from one another.”
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On the Umhlanga waterfront, another popular tourist destination in Durban, people were not allowed to run.
News24 was received by two private security officers who said they had diverted the public to the road.
“There are many unhappy people, but the boardwalk is closed. It is too close to the beach, so it is not allowed,” said one of the security officials.
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